Scotland’s Craig Dods named head coach of men’s sevens team, assistant on 15s squad

Craig Dods has been named coach of Canada’s men’s sevens rugby team and assistant coach of its men’s 15s team, Rugby Canada announced Tuesday.

Dods joins the organization after serving as an assistant coach for Britain’s men’s sevens team as well as a specialist skills coach with Scottish Rugby.

As sevens head coach, he will lead the men’s program toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics while supporting 15s head coach Stephen Meehan in preparations for the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.

Rugby Canada high performance director Shawn Bullock said the position attracted more than 70 applicants from domestic and international backgrounds.

Dods, from Galashiels, Scotland, previously served as head coach of Hungary’s women’s sevens squad for almost three years starting in 2018.

Canada’s men are looking to return to the Olympics after finishing eighth overall in 2021 and failing to qualify in 2024.

“I’m delighted to be joining Rugby Canada at a pivotal time for the sport in such a proud and passionate rugby country,” Dods said in a release.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 29, 2026.